The United States Embassy in Nigeria has assured that visa and passport services will continue despite the partial shutdown of the US federal government.
In a notice posted on its official X account on Wednesday, the embassy stated, “Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information. At this time, scheduled passport and visa transit services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits.”
The embassy explained that its social media accounts will remain largely inactive until government funding is restored, except for critical safety and security updates.
The partial shutdown, triggered after US lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to reach a budget agreement, has forced many federal departments and agencies to suspend operations. The standoff stems from a dispute over Democratic demands for healthcare funding, which Republicans have resisted.
While essential services such as the military, postal service, and welfare programs like Social Security and food stamps remain operational, the Congressional Budget Office warns that up to 750,000 federal workers could be sent home daily without pay until a funding deal is reached.
This marks the first government shutdown since the record 35-day closure nearly seven years ago, during Trump’s first term. Government shutdowns occur when Congress and the President cannot agree on a spending plan, halting operations of many federal agencies until a resolution is reached.
Nigerians seeking visa or passport services are advised to monitor updates via travel.state.gov for the latest information on consular operations and appointment schedules.
